Penrith District Rugby League: Round two talking points, full wrap, 40+ photo gallery
From wild swings in form to traditional slower starters and a room service bounce, there’s plenty to talk about after round two of local Penrith RL. Talking points, 40+ GALLERY.
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Here’s what is making news after the second round of the Don Feltis Cup.
RELATED CONTENT: LOCAL PENRITH RL SEASON PREVIEW
ON THE UP
They might be in unfamiliar territory, but don’t think for one minute that Emu Plains are destined for a long stint in the bottom half of the ladder.
Still winless after two rounds, the reigning premiers find themselves languishing in seventh spot. However, with plenty of talent poised to return, they are bound to turn the corner soon.
Isaac Thompson is among four big names set to return after the Easter break. A noted playmaker, the premiership winner knows how to pile on the points.
SLOW STARTERS
Sitting one place below Emu Plains, last season’s grand finalists, Colyton, are also waiting to open their account.
Still finding their feet, the Colts are traditional slow starters and won’t be deterred after they recovered to reach last year’s decider following one victory from their first five outings.
JOURNEYMAN RETURNS
Luke Butfield proved hard to handle in the Comets’ victory over Colyton. An established centre with Sydney Shield experience, he’s set to become a valuable addition and returns to St Clair following stints with Windsor and St Marys.
ROOM SERVICE
The result was done and dusted but Khan Ridgeway’s sensational solo effort for St Marys in the final minute against Brothers deserves recognition.
Exploding off the bench, the zippy No.14 backed himself with a chip-kick before steaming onto a room service bounce and sliding across to bring up Saints’ second half-century in two starts.
FORM REVERSAL
After going down to St Clair by two points in round one, it was a surprise to see Brothers easily swept aside by St Marys.
A closer inspections reveals only seven of the top 13 from round one backed up to play in what turned out to be a heavy defeat at The Kingsway.
ANZAC DAY BLOCKBUSTERS
There’s no footy over the Easter break, but with three games scheduled to take place on Anzac Day, fans are in for a holiday treat.
In arguably the match of the day, Emu Plains host the in-form Comets in what shapes as a genuine blockbuster featuring two sides destined to make the finals.
ROUND THREE
Friday, April 25
Cambridge Park v Riverstone, Allsopp Patterson Oval
Emu Plains v St Clair, Leonay Oval
Windsor v Minchinbury, Windsor Sporting Complex
Sunday, April 27
Colyton v Brothers, Cec Blinkhorn Oval
Bye: St Marys
ROUND TWO WRAP
With a host of strong performances across the board in round two, the local Penrith A-grade season is shaping up to be an open race as a number of teams continue their resurgence after missing last year’s finals.
Full wrap from all four venues.
COMETS BUILDING NICELY
St Clair continued their perfect start to the season after the Comets sent Colyton home empty-handed for the second time in as many weeks.
Luke Butfield was the star of the first half in the 24-12 victory. The centre oozing class as the Comets opened a handy 12-point buffer.
It took 24 minutes, but the Comets landed the first blow when Butfield produced a sublime flick pass for winger Ezriah Leauanae to race over out wide.
And just as they looked like heading to the sheds up by six, the No.3 bobbed again, flying solo after reeling in a pinpoint bomb from halfback Kyle King-Bird.
“It’s certainly good to start the season with two wins, I felt like we always had control and the boys are starting to gel,” said Comets coach Jason Pettit-Young.
“I thought we were strong across the park and just made the most of out moments. Butfield was one of our best with his touches of class, and Tinirau Arona was calm in the middle in his first match of the season.
“In the pack, Hoseah Neli was good upfront. He’s come up from the under-19s, so it’s good to see him develop under the guidance of the older guys.”
Colyton were strong in patches, but Comets fullback Damian Richardson-Gauci extinguished hopes of a comeback midway through the second half. Sensing number of the left, the No.1 found Liam Pearce with a cutout pass to make it 18-0.
Colyton prop Lifi Tia-Kilifi crashed over for a double in the dying stages, but it came either side of St Clair’s fourth try, scored by centre Antonio Ma’a.
Despite a winless start to their season, Pettit-Young wasn’t about to write off last season’s grand finalists.
“Colyton are good side. They’re big and are well coached, once they find their feet they will be tough to beat.”
HEAVYWEIGHTS SHARE SPOILS
A try after the full time siren by new recruit Kailub Smith has seen Emu Plains force a draw at Windsor.
In a ding-dong battle between two of the competition’s heavyweights, the Wolves looked to have done enough midway through the second half when skipper Eton Lindsay sent Brayden Wheeler racing away to make it 14-10.
Greg Alderson was the star for Emu Plains. A calm head on the left edge, the centre put Smith over before the break to make it 10-all, and with his side staring in the face of back-to-back defeats he proved clutch in the final play of the match, helping the former Glenmore Park winger cross for his second of the evening.
“Greg has so much time, and sees footy differently to most other people,” said Emu Plains captain-coach Tom Romer.
“He called for the ball and thankfully we scored in the corner. Cam Williams was dirty he couldn’t convert, but it was a difficult kick and we were happy with the draw.
“It was a top game of footy, Windsor were excellent and it was exactly the type of tough game we needed.”
Tori Willie continued his strong start to the season, the five-eighth played a crucial role as the Wolves opened an early 10-0 lead, and he was on hand to put Lindsay in space for the go-ahead try.
Emu Plains were well served by hooker Shannon Mason and backrower Ryan Starr, but it was the physical battle upfront that excited Romer.
“Mitch Smith was great in the middle, as was Dean Barnes, he killed it for us,” said Romer, who isn’t concerned by the two-time champion’s winless start to the season.
“I’m not worried about our start. We’re starting to play better and our defence is pretty strong.
“Plus, we have a stack of players due to return after Easter including Brendon Hearne, Jarrod Brackenhofer and centre Blake McDermott.”
CAMBO LAND JETS
After downing the reigning premiers in round one, Cambridge Park kept the foot on the accelerator with a comfortable 54-10 dismantling of Minchinbury.
From the moment centre John Vunga steamed over in the second minute, the home side kept the locals at Allsopp Patterson Oval entertained with the next eight tries to lead 44-0 with just over 20 to play.
Backrower Jordan-Trae Cardona scored his side’s 11th and final try on a night where Vunga and Jacob Swann-Knight both scored doubles.
While they didn’t get on the scoresheet, halfback Harry Lohia and Corey Simpson picked plenty of holes in the Jets’ defence.
The loss was a tough way for Minchinbury to start the season. Coming off an opening round bye, they were hit head-on by a resurgent Cambridge Park, but stuck to the task and finished with two tries – the first by hooker Ben Spiers.
ST MARYS NOTCH ANOTHER FIFTY
St Marys continued their Don Feltis Cup revival with another thumping win, this time a resounding 52-6 victory over Brothers at The Kingsway.
Coming off a big win against new boys Riverstone, the Saints demonstrated that they are genuine title contenders, scoring 10 tries, including a hat trick by winger Lupe Pauli.
Inspirational upfront, captain-coach John Faiumu softened the middle in the early exchanges and the busy No.10 showed his class with deft touches on the left edge.
Five-eighth Aiden Glanville backed up a strong round one showing, and was prominent as the Saints changed ends at 30-6.
Zach Nuttall crossed for Brothers’ only try with a bullocking effort under the posts just before the break.
PHOTO GALLERY
St Clair v Colyton
Cambridge Park v Minchinbury
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